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NASA Research Center Contributions to Space Shuttle Return to Flight (SSRTF)Contributions provided by the NASA Research Centers to key Space Shuttle return-to-flight milestones, with an emphasis on debris and Thermal Protection System (TPS) damage characterization, are described herein. Several CAIB recommendations and Space Shuttle Program directives deal with the mitigation of external tank foam insulation as a debris source, including material characterization as well as potential design changes, and an understanding of Orbiter TPS material characteristics, damage scenarios, and repair options. Ames, Glenn, and Langley Research Centers have performed analytic studies, conducted experimental testing, and developed new technologies, analysis tools, and hardware to contribute to each of these recommendations. For the External Tank (ET), these include studies of spray-on foam insulation (SOFI), investigations of potential design changes, and applications of advanced non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technologies to understand ET TPS shedding during liftoff and ascent. The end-to-end debris assessment included transport analysis to determine the probabilities of impact for various debris sources. For the Orbiter, methods were developed, and validated through experimental testing, to determine thresholds for potential damage of Orbiter TPS components. Analysis tools were developed and validated for on-orbit TPS damage assessments, especially in the area of aerothermal environments. Advanced NDE technologies were also applied to the Orbiter TPS components, including sensor technologies to detect wing leading edge impacts during liftoff and ascent. Work is continuing to develop certified TPS repair options and to develop improved methodologies for reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) damage progression to assist in on-orbit repair decision philosophy.
Document ID
20050223567
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Cockrell, Charles E., Jr.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Barnes, Robert S.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Belvin, Harry L.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Allmen, John
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Otero, Angel
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Space Transportation And Safety
Report/Patent Number
AIAA Paper 2005-3626
Report Number: AIAA Paper 2005-3626
Meeting Information
Meeting: 41st AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
Location: Tucson, AZ
Country: United States
Start Date: July 10, 2005
End Date: July 13, 2005
Sponsors: American Society for Electrical Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
OTHER: 23-377-10-30-01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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